GA TECH DO THE RIGHT THING!!!    CALL GA TECH PRESIDENT DR. PETERSON'S OFFICE (404-894-5051) AND TELL HIM TO FORCE GROOME TRANSPORTATION TO THE TABLE WITH THE TEAMSTERS AND THE REPLACED GT BUS DRIVERS!

On December 18, 2009 all 40 of the Georgia Tech bus drivers employed by First Transit were told that they were being replaced. Ga Tech awarded a lucrative 10-year agreement to non-union bus contractor Groome Transportation.

Now Groome is discriminating against the 40 bus drivers, who are members of Teamsters Local 728 and is refusing to hire them because they belong to a union. We are asking all allies of working people to stand in solidarity. Join the former drivers, Tech students, and community supporters fighting for good jobs, job security and their union contract.

Georgia Tech bus drivers don’t deserve to be kicked to the curb after years of dedicated service. University administrators are responsible for how they choose to spend students’ tuition and taxpayer funds.  Let’s make sure that Tech only contracts out services to companies that respect workers’ and human rights.  Briere Melias, replaced Tech driver and "Employee of the Month" is among the 40 drivers replaced by non-union bus contractor Groome Transportation.

MORE INFORMATION:  http://www.georgiatechhiresgroome.tk/

CSA2010 INFORMATION

Twenty First Student drivers in Atlanta, who transport students at 3 KIPP charter schools and Hapeville Middle School, voted overwhelminly by a vote of 19-0 on November 20, 2009 for Teamsters Local 728. This the eighth election of First Group bus drivers that Local 728 has organized since September of 2007.

Local 728 in Atlanta has won a $54,000 back-pay settlement on behalf of three former Allied Waste/Republic workers who were denied employment by non-union waste company Advanced Disposal.

Advanced Disposal bought the routes and a facility from Allied Waste/Republic in Gainesville, Georgia. The company refused to hire three Local 728 members, two of whom were shop stewards. Local 728 filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board alleging discrimination against the union members. The Board then issued a complaint against the company.

“The company, Advanced Disposal, is a vicious anti-worker, anti-union company that refused to hire two shop stewards and a strong union supporter,” said Eric Robertson, a Local 728 Business Agent. “This should send a message to anti-union companies who try to discriminate against workers who support their union.”  Local 728 negotiated a settlement with the company in October 2009. The settlement involves lost back wages with interest.

Bus drivers voted overwhelmingly for Teamster representation.  With a margin of 27-2 , the drivers spoke loud and clear that a Teamster contract is the way toward a more secure job and a better future at work.  Local 728 currently represents nearly 700 First Group workers throughout the State.  "We have established a track record of organizing First Group workers and we have negotiated good first contracts and look forward to helping bring workplace justice to the SCAD First Transit workers,"  said Randy Brown, President of Local 728. 

There will be thirty-one awards of $10,000.00 each and sixty-nine awards of $1,000.00 each to applicants who are a son, daughter or grand child of a Teamster member.  Financial dependents (stephchildren and wards) of Teamsters members are eligible if the member contributes in excess of 50% of the applicant's financial support.  Call Sandra at the Local 404-622-0521 for more information.

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MASTER AGREEMENT

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IBT INFORMATION

Change of Operations Decisions

Truck drivers who haul U.S. mail for Mail Contractors of America (MCA) out of the Atlanta terminal have voted for Teamster representation. The 116 truck drivers will be members of Teamsters Local 728 of Atlanta. Gaining respect on the job, having a voice against arbitrary work rules and achieving improvements in wage rates and benefits were some of the reasons why employees voted for Teamster representation.  "I just want us to have a good contract that provides a level playing field for all employees," said Sam Glass, a 6-year employee of MCA. "We have a strong group and we look forward to negotiating our first contract." Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) recently wrote to the MCA's terminal manager in Atlanta encouraging the company to respect workers rights. "I am a firm believer that unions play a positive role in our community by raising peoples' living standards and helping to negotiate positive changes in the workplace." 

See picture and article.

The First Transit bus drivers at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro unanimously ratified their first contract Friday, November 21^st.  The ratification vote culminates a year-long organizing campaign by Local 728 to win Teamster contracts at all First Transit locations throughout the state. Local 728 has successfully won four NLRB elections in its regional organizing drive this year. The drivers at Georgia Southern University are the last unit of drivers to ratify their new contract.  Under the newly ratified contract, the drivers at GA Southern University will receive significant wage increases, extended vacation time, the right to refuse unsafe equipment, and their first ever paid holiday on Thanksgiving.  Teamsters Local 728 President Randy Brown said "we are very proud to welcome these drivers to the Teamsters Union. The drivers stood together throughout the campaign and during the negotiation process. There is good reason to give thanks on this Thanksgiving."